System and method for automated relative position determination of wireless access points

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for automated detection of relative position among a plurality of wireless access points (WAPs) deployed in service area. An exemplary service area is the passenger cabin of a commercial airplane. The method can include transmitting a signal on a wireless channel at a fixed power level across the service area. Each WAP can measure a signal strength of the signal received from all other WAPs of the plurality of WAPs. The plurality of WAPs can share reports including signal strengths of the signal transmitted from all of the other WAPs. Each WAP can then form a matrix of measured signal strengths and measuring WAPs including the signal strength of signals transmitted by each WAP as received by all other WAPs as the measuring WAPs. The matrix can be used to determine a relative position of the plurality of WAPs based on the first matrix.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

This disclosure relates wireless access points (WAPs) and communicationusing the same. More specifically, this disclosure relates to systemsand methods for automated determination of relative position of multipleWAPs.

Related Art

WAPs can be installed within a service area using various topologies andwiring configurations. In order to maximize coverage within a servicearea of the WAPs, it is beneficial to physically organize the WAPsthroughout the cabin so they may be optimized for data transmission.However, WAPs may not always be installed at the same time or by thesame technician. Therefore the WAPs may not be organized in an optimalway and either provide incomplete coverage or interfere with one anotherand provide suboptimal coverage. Repeated manual updates to the physicalrelationship or mapping sequence of the WAPs can be a time intensiveprocess.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the disclosure provides a method for automated detectionof relative position among a plurality of wireless access points (WAPs)deployed in a service area. The method can include transmitting a signalon a wireless channel at a fixed power level across the service area,each signal including a media access control (MAC) address of arespective WAP of the plurality of WAPs. The method can includemeasuring a signal strength of the signal received from all other WAPsof the plurality of WAPs. The method can include sharing, among theplurality of WAPs, reports from each WAP including signal strengths ofthe signal transmitted from all of the other WAPs. The method caninclude forming, in a memory, a first matrix of measured signalstrengths and measuring WAPs, the measured signal strengths includingthe signal strength of signals transmitted by each WAP as received byall other WAPs as the measuring WAPs. The method can include determininga relative position of the plurality of WAPs based on the first matrix.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium for automated detection of relative positionamong a plurality of wireless access points (WAPs) deployed in a servicearea. When executed by one or more processors, the instructions causethe one or more processors to transmit a signal on a wireless channel ata fixed power level across the service area, each signal including amedia access control (MAC) address of a respective WAP of the pluralityof WAPs. The instructions can further cause the one or more processorsto measure a signal strength of the signal received from all other WAPsof the plurality of WAPs. The instructions can further cause the one ormore processors to share reports from each WAP including signalstrengths of the signal transmitted from all of the other WAPs. Theinstructions can further cause the one or more processors to form afirst matrix of measured signal strengths and measuring WAPs in amemory, the measured signal strengths including the signal strength ofsignals transmitted by each WAP as received by all other WAPs as themeasuring WAPs. The instructions can further cause the one or moreprocessors to determine a relative position of the plurality of WAPsbased on the first matrix.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides a system for wirelesscommunication in a service area. The system can include a first wirelessaccess point (WAP) deployed in the service area. The first WAP cantransmit a first signal on a wireless channel at a fixed power levelacross the service area. The first signal can have a first media accesscontrol (MAC) address of the first WAP. The system can include a secondWAP deployed in the service area. The second WAP can transmit a secondsignal on the wireless channel at the fixed power level. The secondsignal including a second MAC address of the second WAP. The system caninclude a third WAP deployed in the service area. The third WAP cantransmit a third signal on the wireless channel at the fixed powerlevel. The third signal can have a third MAC address of the third WAP.The first WAP, the second WAP, and the third WAP can measure a signalstrength of received signals received from all other WAPs. The firstWAP, the second WAP, and the third WAP can share reports including themeasured signal strengths of the received signals with all other WAPsover the wireless channel. The first WAP, the second WAP, and the thirdWAP can form a first matrix of the measured signal strengths andmeasuring WAPs in a memory, the measured signal strengths including thesignal strength of signals transmitted by each WAP as received by allother WAPs as the measuring WAPs. The first WAP, the second WAP, and thethird WAP can determine a relative position of the first WAP, the secondWAP, and the third WAP based on the first matrix.

Other features and advantages will become apparent to one or ordinaryskill in the art with a review of the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The details of embodiments of the present disclosure, both as to theirstructure and operation, can be gleaned in part by study of theaccompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to likeparts, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a graphical representation of a system for providing wirelessservice;

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a device for use with the systemof FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method for automated relative positiondetermination of the WAPs of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a graphical depiction of an embodiment of portions of themethod of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a graphical depiction of another embodiment of the servicearea of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a graphical depiction of another embodiment of the servicearea of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in oneembodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout thisspecification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics maybe combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

This disclosure provides systems and methods for automated orself-determination of relative position of multiple WAPs. In general, aplurality of WAPs installed in a service area can implement variousmeasuring techniques to determine the physical relationships among themultiple WAPs. For example, the system can determine that, for example,WAP 1 is next to WAP 2, WAP 2 is next to WAP 1 and 3, and so forth. Thiscan be done automatically by the WAPs based on applying the physics ofsignal propagation in free space. If all WAPs are transmitting at aknown default power setting and the WAP is scanning the frequency spacefor other WAPs transmitting it can logically determine that the strongersignal are the WAPs located physically closer or with a wireless channelcondition to the measuring WAP that is less obstructive.

FIG. 1 is a graphical representation of a system for providing wirelessservice. A system for providing wireless service (system 100) can beimplemented within a wireless service area 110. The wireless servicearea 110 can have multiple distributed wireless access points (WAPs)120. Six WAPs 120 are shown and labeled 120 a, 120 b, 120 c, 120 d, 120e, 120 f. The number of WAPs 120 is not limiting on the disclosure. TheWAPs 120 can provide wireless service to occupants of the service areavia a wireless network, for example. In some examples, there can be morethan one wireless network such as a 2.4 GHz network and a 5.0 or 5.6 GHznetwork. The WAPs 120 can further provide coordinated wireless serviceto users within the service area 110. The WAPs 120 can becommunicatively coupled by the one or more wireless networks.

In a primary example as used herein, the service area 110 is can be apassenger airplane cabin. This is not limiting on the disclosure as thesystem 100 can be deployed in many different kinds of service areas 110(e.g., a commercial building (FIG. 6), a home, a train, a bus (FIG. 5),etc.). As illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, the WAPs 120 a-f can be disposed inany portion of the service area as needed. In the following examples, Xrefers to horizontal position, Y refers to vertical position, and Zrefers to elevation position. For example as illustrated in FIG. 1, theWAP 120 a can be disposed in an overhead compartment (e.g., withlocation coordinates X1, Y1, Z1), the WAP 120 e (e.g., with locationcoordinates X2, Y2, Z2) can be disposed under a seat, or the WAPs 120 b(e.g., with location coordinates X3, Y3, Z3) can be disposed on orwithin a bulkhead, and other WAPs 120 c-f are positioned throughout theairplane cabin (e.g., with respective location coordinates X4, Y4, Z4;X5, Y5. Z5; X6, Y6, Z6).

In one variation of this example, the location coordinates X1-X6, Y1-Y6,Z1-Z6 are all different from one another. e.g., so the WAPs 120 a-f are3 dimensionally spaced from one another. In yet another variation ofthis example, the location coordinates X1-X6, Y1-Y6, Z1-Z6 may be in thesame plane (share one common X, Y, or Z value), e.g., so the WAPS 120a-f are 2 dimensionally spaced from one another. In yet another example,pairs of the WAPs 120 a-f may have the location coordinates X1-X6,Y1-Y6, Z1-Z6, with two or more coordinates and share a common plane (a 2dimensional spacing from one another (share one common X, Y, or Zvalue). As such, the WAPS 120 a-f can be positioned and operatethroughout a service area independent of positioning values (e.g.,X1-X6. Y1-Y6, Z1-Z6) and can have one dimensional, two dimensional, orthree dimensional spacing between each of the WAPs in the disclosedmethods and systems.

The WAPs 120 can be installed or otherwise deployed and provisionedduring construction of the service area 110. In some examples, one ormore of the WAPs 120 can be later replaced for maintenance reasons. Ineither case, the WAPs 120 may not be symmetrically distributedthroughout the service area 110. This can result is unequal servicethroughout the service area 110 based on coverage of the individual WAPs120. In some examples, the service area 110 may further have certainobstacles 122 (shown as 122 a, 122 b) that affect the transmission orreception of wireless signals from the WAPs 120. Such obstacles can bebulkheads, cabinets, overhead compartments, or similar obstructions thataffect the transmission of wireless signals. These factors (e.g.,distribution and obstacles) can result in suboptimum reception at userdevices within the service area.

In some implementations, the WAPs 120 can each have an identifier oraddress. The WAPs 120 can have a media access control (MAC) address thatuniquely identifies that wireless communication device, for example, onthe wireless network. The WAPs 120 of FIG. 1 each have a numeral (1-6)listed that arbitrarily represents the address (e.g., MAC address) ofthe respective WAP 120. The WAPs 120 can also have a service setidentifier (SSID) that identifies the wireless network(s) or portion ofthe wireless network(s) established by individual WAPs 120. Theidentifiers provide the system 100 a basis for the organization of thesystem, so that individual WAPs 120 can be identified and tuned ordirected to minimize interference. This can further allow the WAPs 120to focus transmissions to users and avoid unnecessary overlaps intransmissions or deadspots in coverage. In some examples, the WAPs usingdirectional radiofrequency (RF) transmission (e.g., the IEEE 802.11family of wireless protocols) can appropriately steer beams to usersbased on the location of adjacent WAPs 120.

Some aircraft can be provisioned with a first group of WAPs 120 can may(or may not be sequentially arranged. For example, this can includenumbering the WAPs 120 from 1-6 from front to back, where the numbers1-6 represent the MAC address or other addressing. The WAPs 120 can bereplaced over time or be installed in a non-sequential or otherwiseunknown sequence. Accordingly, the WAP 120 e may not be provisioned withthe identity of the most adjacent WAPs 120 a, 120 b. The presentdisclosure eliminates the need to manually update the WAPs 120 with theproper sequence in order to optimize transmission.

In some embodiments, the system 100 can be organized as a decentralizedor ad hoc network. In such an embodiment, the all of the WAPs 120 of thesystem 100 can perform the same processes. In some examples, this caninclude the same applications run on multiple host devices (e.g., theWAPs 120). For example, this can be implemented using, for example,Docker (application containers) in a Machine Swarm. In such an example,there can be a common process (e.g., an application) running on multiplephysical or virtualized machines. Depending on the present load of eachhost device (e.g., the WAPs 120) within the swarm the process can beload balanced among the host devices. In such an example, each of theWAPs 120 can perform load sharing to perform the processes or methodsdisclosed herein. In this embodiment respect, there is no centralizedcontroller.

In other embodiments, the system 100 can be controlled by a “master”device or central controller. In such an embodiment, a master-slaverelationship would be established in which the is one controller (e.g.,the master) that can make decisions or perform management tasks for theother slave devices. In a centralized controller network, a single hostdevice is dedicated to performing processing for the whole group (e.g.,the WAPs 120). In this example, a master device could be one of the WAPs120.

Within the wireless network, the WAPs 120 can perform tasks such astransmission of beacon signals, probe requests/responses, andtransmission of other kinds of wireless messages including customwireless messages purposely built for this measurement process.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a device for use with the systemof FIG. 1. A communication device (device) 200 can be implemented as oneor more of the WAPs 120. The device 200 can have one or more processors(processor) 202. The processor 202 can control operation of the device200. The processor 202 may also be referred to as a central processingunit (CPU). The processor 202 may be implemented with any combination ofgeneral-purpose microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signalprocessors (DSPs), field programmable gate array (FPGAs), programmablelogic devices (PLDs), controllers, state machines, gated logic, discretehardware components, dedicated hardware finite state machines, or anyother suitable entities that can perform calculations or othermanipulations of information.

The processor 202 may also include machine-readable media for storingsoftware. Software shall be construed broadly to mean any type ofinstructions, whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware,microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise. Instructions mayinclude code (e.g., in source code format, binary code format,executable code format, or any other suitable format of code). Theinstructions, when executed by the processor 202, cause the processingsystem to perform the various functions described herein.

The device 200 can have a memory 204 operably coupled to the processor202, which may include both read-only memory (ROM) and random accessmemory (RAM), providing instructions and data to the processor 202. Aportion of the memory 204 may also include non-volatile random accessmemory (NVRAM). The processor 202 can perform logical and arithmeticoperations based on program instructions stored within the memory 204.The instructions in the memory 204 may be executable to implement themethods described herein. The memory 204 can store information relatedto WAP operation, including storing information related to signalsreceived from other WAPs 120. The memory 204 can store signal strengthmeasurement information, as described below.

The device 200 can have a modem 208 coupled to the processor 202. Themodem can convert (e.g., modulate and demodulate) data into a formatsuitable for a transmission medium so that it can be transmitted fromdevice to device (e.g., between or among the WAPs 120). The modem 208can modulates one or more carrier wave signals to encode digitalinformation for transmission and demodulates signals to decode thetransmitted information.

The transmitter 212 and the receiver 214 can be combined as atransceiver 216. The transmitter 212 and the receiver 214 (e.g., thetransceiver 216) can be coupled to one or more antenna 218. Thetransmitter 212 and the receiver 214 (e.g., the transceiver 216) can becoupled to the processor 202 and the modem 208.

The device 200 may also include a transmitter 212 and a receiver 214 toallow transmission and reception of data between the device 200 and aremote location. For example, such communications may occur between andamong the WAPs 120 and mobile device users within the service area 110.The transmitter 212 and receiver 214 may be combined into a transceiver216. One or more antennas 218 may be attached to a housing 219 andelectrically coupled to the transceiver 26 or to the transmitter 212 andthe receiver 214 independently. Multiple antennas 218 may be present foruse with directional communications (e.g., IEEE 802.11ac protocol). Thedevice 200 may also include (not shown) multiple transmitters, multiplereceivers, multiple transceivers, and/or multiple antennas.

The various components of the device 200 described herein may be coupledtogether by a bus system 226. The bus system 226 may include a data bus,for example, as well as a power bus, a control signal bus, and a statussignal bus in addition to the data bus. Those of skill in the art willappreciate the components of the device 200 may be coupled together oraccept or provide inputs to each other using some other mechanism.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method for automated relative positiondetermination of the WAPs of FIG. 1. A method 300 can provide a processfor optimizing the coverage of the WAPs 120 within the service area 110.The WAPs 120 installed within the service area 110 may not have asequential organization or the order may not be known. Withoutinformation related to the spatial distribution (e.g., relativeposition) of surrounding WAPs 120, wireless service may not bedistributed optimally.

The method 300 can begin at block 302 with initialization of each of theWAPs 120. This can be similar to a power-on state or process.

At block 305, each of the WAPs 120 can transmit a signal to the otherWAPs 120. This can occur for a fixed period of time and at a fixed powerlevel. In some examples this can use a 2.4 GHz frequency which can be anunlicensed portion of the spectrum. In other examples, 5 GHz can also beused. The signal can be a beacon or other messaging consistent with thewireless network (e.g., an ad hoc wireless network). The signal can betransmitted at a fixed power level across the service area 110 (e.g.,the aircraft). All of the WAPs 120 can scan for adjacent WAPs 120 thatare broadcasting, and thus receive the transmitted signal from all ofthe other WAPs 120 in the service area 120. The MAC address and/or SSIDof the transmitting WAP 120 can be included in the signal.

At block 310, all of the WAPs 120 can measure a strength of the signal(e.g., the beacon) received from the other WAPs 120. For example, theWAP 120 a can transmit (as in block 305) a first signal that is receivedby the WAPs 120 b-120 f. Similarly, the WAP 120 a can receive similarsignals (e.g., beacons) from the other WAPs 120 b-120 f. The strength ofthe signal (or signal strength) can be measured in terms of receivedsignal strength indicator (RSSI) or received channel power indicator(RCPI), for example.

At block 310, each of the each of the WAPs 120 can further record (e.g.,in the memory 204) the signal strength (e.g., RSSI, RCPI) related to thesignals transmitted by all of the other WAPs 120. The MAC address of thetransmitting WAP 120 can also be included with the signal strengthmeasurement.

At block 315, the WAPs 120 can share the measured signal strengths overthe network. Thus, each of the WAPs 120 can receive a report of themeasured signal strengths of all the other WAPs 120 as measured at eachWAP 120.

At block 320, a matrix (see FIG. 4) of all of the measured signalstrengths can be constructed based on the receiving in block 315. Insome implementations, each WAP 120 can generate a matrix (a firstmatrix) of all of the signal strengths based on those received from allof the other WAPs 120. The matrices formed at each WAP 120 shouldnecessarily be the same as all of the others, given the sharedmeasurements in block 315. The matrix can include a plot of measuredWAPs against measuring WAPs, as shown in FIG. 4, noting the signalstrength of each WAP as measured by all the other WAPs.

In some other implementations, one of the WAPs 120 designated as themaster device can form (e.g., in the memory 204) the matrix of themeasured signal strengths and share it with the rest of the WAPs 120.

In block 325, each of the WAPs 120 can determine a relative position toall other WAPs 120 in the service area 110 based on the matrix. Theprocess of using the matrix in block 325 to determine relative positionis described below in connection with FIG. 4.

The method 300 can end at block 332. In some implementations, the method300 can be repeated periodically at a user-defined interval. Forexample, the method can be performed every 30 minutes, 1, hour, 2 hours,etc., to re-assess channel conditions within the service area 110.

FIG. 4 is a graphical depiction of an embodiment of portions of themethod of FIG. 3. As the WAPs 120 share their signal strengthmeasurements (e.g., RSSI, RCPI), a table 408 can be populated with eachmeasurement taken in the method 300. The signal strength measurementscan be used to generate a matrix 410 (e.g., a first matrix) based on thesignal strength measurements. The matrix 410 can include a measurementof signals strengths of every WAP 120 by every other WAP 120. Thus, inthe present example of the six WAPs 120 of FIG. 1, the matrix 410 is sixby six. This is not limiting on the disclosure. One of ordinary skillwould readily recognize that other numbers of WAPs 120 and matrixdimensions are also possible. For example, matrices such as 4×4, 5×5,and 7×7 are also possible. The measured WAPs 412 are shown on as rows ofthe matrix 410 while measuring WAPs 414 are listed in columns. Exemplaryvalues for each measured signal strength are shown in the matrix 410 interms of dBm (decibel milliwatt).

Next, a matrix 420 (e.g., a second matrix) is formed identifying themeasured WAPs 120 having the highest signal strength for each measuringWAP. The values used to determine the highest signal strengths of thematrix 420 are shown in dashed circles in the matrix 410. The WAP numberassociated with the highest signal strengths are used to populate thematrix 420. From the matrix 420, the highest occurring modes correlateto the centermost WAPs 120, while the lowest modes correspond tooutermost WAPs 120.

In embodiments in which the two highest signal strengths of the matrix420 are ambiguous, or in which more than two received signal strengthmeasurements of the WAPs 120 are exactly the same and the two highestsignal strengths cannot be determined, the measurement process (e.g.,the process of block 310) can be repeated until two highest signalstrengths are determined.

In the example shown, in the matrix 410 and the matrix 420, the mode (3)for WAPs labeled 1 and 4 (e.g., the WAPs 120 a, 120 d of FIG. 1), arethe centermost WAPs 120. Both WAPs 1 and 4 have the highest measuredRSSI for three of the other WAPs in the service area 110.

Next, the WAPs 1 and 4 can be excluded in favor of the second mode,which is mode (2) for WAPs 5 and 6 (e.g., the WAPs 120 e, 120 f of FIG.1). The WAPs 5 and 6 appear as having the strongest RSSI for two of theother remaining WAPs. Thus WAPs 5 and 6 are the next to center WAPs.

Next, the process can exclude WAPs 1,4,5,6 and re-take any remainingmode(s). In this example, the two remaining WAPs are WAPs 2 and 3, whichare then (by default) the outermost WAPs having a mode of 1.

Lastly, any ambiguity as to specific relative ordering of the WAPs 120can be determined logically via the second matrix 420. It some examples,it may not be important that the WAP 120 c (3) is near the front of theaircraft and the WAP 120 b (2) is at the back, but more that therelative order of the WAPs 120 is locally determined by each WAP 120.

The present example shows three pairs of WAPs for six total. However,the disclosed method can be applied to even or odd numbers of WAPs 120.For example, were there only five WAPs 120 a-120 e, then the first twomodes described above for WAPs 120 a, 120 d, 120 e, 120 f would remainin the order described. However, one of the WAPs 120 b (2), 120 c (3)may not be present if there are only five WAPs in the service area 110.

FIG. 5 is a graphical depiction of another embodiment of the servicearea of FIG. 1. A system 500 can be similar to the system 100,implementing the service area 110 in bus 502. The bus 502 is notlimiting on the disclosure as the service area 110 can be implemented inother passenger vehicles such as a train or boat. The WAPs 120 can bedistributed about the bus 502 within the passenger cabin. The WAPs 120a-f can be applied to floors, ceilings, walls, or even under thepassenger compartment, depending on the construction of the bus 500(e.g., or other passenger vehicle). In the two dimensional view of thesystem 500, only vertical separation is apparent, but as in the system100 (FIG. 1) lateral separation between the WAPs is also possible.Accordingly, the WAPs 120 a-f can have one, two, or three dimensionaldispersion or separation throughout the bus 502.

In one example of FIG. 5, the WAPs 120 a-f location coordinates X1-X6,Y1-Y6, Z1-Z6 are all different from one another, e.g., so the WAPs 120a-f are 3 dimensionally spaced from one another. In one variation ofthis example, the WAPs 120 a-f location coordinates X1-X6, Y1-Y6, Z1-Z6may be in the same plane (share one common X, Y. or Z value), e.g., sothe WAPS 120 a-f are 2 dimensionally spaced from one another. In yetanother example of FIG. 5, pairs of the WAPs 120 a-f may have thelocation coordinates X1-X6, Y1-Y6, Z1-Z6, with two or more coordinatesand share a common plane (e.g., a 2 dimensional spacing from one another(share one common X, Y, or Z value)). As such, the WAPS 120 a-f can bepositioned and operate throughout a service area independent ofpositioning values (e.g., X1-X6, Y1-Y6, Z1-Z6) and can have onedimensional, two dimensional, or three dimensional spacing between eachof the WAPs in the disclosed methods and systems.

The methods described above can be applied to the service area 110within the bus 502 as above. WAPs 120 a-120 f are shown in the system500, however, any number of WAPs can be implemented as needed.

FIG. 6 is a graphical depiction of another embodiment of the servicearea of FIG. 1. A system 600 can be similar to the system 100 and thesystem 500, implementing the service area 110 in a building 600. Thebuilding 600 can have multiple floors, such as a first floor 602, asecond floor 604, and a third floor 606. A plurality of the WAPs 120 canbe distributed about all of the floors 602, 604, 606. The service area110 within the building 600 can therefore provide coverage to the entirebuilding 600. The method 300 (FIG. 3) can be applied per level of thebuilding; each of the first floor 602, the second floor 604, and thethird floor 606 can determine relative spacing to provide optimumservice.

In some implementations, each of the first floor 602, the second floor604, and the third floor 606 can have their own respective service area110. The WAPs 120 can be disposed throughout the building and each flooron various surfaces such as on the floor, ceiling (e.g., mounted to orwithin the ceiling), on a desk or book shelf, etc. The WAPs 120 can bedistributed to provide optimum coverage throughout the floors 602, 604,606. As described above, the method 300 provides measurement andcomparison of signal strength (e.g., power levels) from each of the WAPs120 as measured from each other.

In some implementations, the entire building 600, including all of theWAPs 120 on each of the first floor 602, the second floor 604, and thethird floor 606, can form a single service area 110. The method 300 canfurther be applied throughout the building over all floors in systems inwhich the service area 110 overlaps from floor to floor. Thus, therelative location of the WAPs 120 can be determined via the method 300(FIG. 3) on each floor and shared among all of the WAPs 120 in thebuilding 600. The signal strengths of all of the WAPs 120 can then bemeasured and positions determined when comparing power levels to eachother. Accordingly, the WAPs 120 can provide service across floors, asneeded. For example, a WAP 120 mounted in the ceiling of the first floor602 may be able to provide wireless service to a user on the secondfloor 604. Thus, the entire building 600 can implement the method 300 todetermine relative spacing among the WAPs 120.

In one example of FIG. 6, the WAPs 120 a-f location coordinates X1-X6,Y1-Y6, Z1-Z6 are all different from one another, e.g., so the WAPs 120a-f are 3 dimensionally spaced from one another. In one variation ofthis example, the WAPs 120 a-f location coordinates X1-X6, Y1-Y6, Z1-Z6may be in the same plane (e.g., share one common X, Y, or Z value),e.g., so the WAPS 120 a-f are 2 dimensionally spaced from one another.In yet another example, pairs of the WAPs 120 a-f may have the locationcoordinates X1-X6, Y1-Y6, Z1-Z6, with two or more coordinates and sharea common plane (e.g., a 2 dimensional spacing from one another, e.g.,share one common X, Y, or Z value). As such, the WAPS 120 a-f can bepositioned and operate throughout a service area independent ofpositioning values (e.g., X1-X6, Y1-Y6, Z1-Z6) and can have onedimensional, two dimensional, or three dimensional spacing between eachof the WAPs in the disclosed methods and systems.

Other Aspects

The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover suchforms or modifications as would fall within the scope of the disclosure.The various components illustrated in the figures may be implemented as,for example, but not limited to, software and/or firmware on a processoror dedicated hardware. Also, the features and attributes of the specificexample embodiments disclosed above may be combined in different ways toform additional embodiments, all of which fall within the scope of thedisclosure.

The foregoing method descriptions and the process flow diagrams areprovided merely as illustrative examples and are not intended to requireor imply that the operations of the various embodiments must beperformed in the order presented. As will be appreciated by one of skillin the art the order of operations in the foregoing embodiments may beperformed in any order. Words such as “thereafter,” “then,” “next,” etc.are not intended to limit the order of the operations; these words aresimply used to guide the reader through the description of the methods.Further, any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example,using the articles “a,” “an,” or “the” is not to be construed aslimiting the element to the singular.

The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and algorithmoperations described in connection with the embodiments disclosed hereinmay be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, orcombinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability ofhardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, andoperations have been described above generally in terms of theirfunctionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware orsoftware depends upon the particular application and design constraintsimposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement thedescribed functionality in varying ways for each particular application,but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing adeparture from the scope of the present inventive concept.

The hardware used to implement the various illustrative logics, logicalblocks, and modules described in connection with the various embodimentsdisclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a general purposeprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) orother programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic,discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed toperform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor maybe a microprocessor, but, in the alternative, the processor may be anyconventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. Aprocessor may also be implemented as a combination of receiver devices,e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality ofmicroprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSPcore, or any other such configuration. Alternatively, some operations ormethods may be performed by circuitry that is specific to a givenfunction.

In one or more exemplary embodiments, the functions described may beimplemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof.If implemented in software, the functions may be stored as one or moreinstructions or code on a non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium or non-transitory processor-readable storage medium. Theoperations of a method or algorithm disclosed herein may be embodied inprocessor-executable instructions that may reside on a non-transitorycomputer-readable or processor-readable storage medium. Non-transitorycomputer-readable or processor-readable storage media may be any storagemedia that may be accessed by a computer or a processor. By way ofexample but not limitation, such non-transitory computer-readable orprocessor-readable storage media may include random access memory (RAM),read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-onlymemory (EEPROM), FLASH memory, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage,magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any othermedium that may be used to store desired program code in the form ofinstructions or data structures and that may be accessed by a computer.Disk and disc, as used herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc,optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk, and Blu-raydisc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discsreproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above are alsoincluded within the scope of non-transitory computer-readable andprocessor-readable media. Additionally, the operations of a method oralgorithm may reside as one or any combination or set of codes and/orinstructions on a non-transitory processor-readable storage mediumand/or computer-readable storage medium, which may be incorporated intoa computer program product.

It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of blocks in theprocesses/flowcharts disclosed is an illustration of exemplaryapproaches. Based upon design preferences, it is understood that thespecific order or hierarchy of blocks in the processes/flowcharts may berearranged. Further, some blocks may be combined or omitted. Theaccompanying method claims present elements of the various blocks in asample order, and are not meant to be limited to the specific order orhierarchy presented.

The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the various aspects described herein. Variousmodifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilledin the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied toother aspects.

Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shownherein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with thelanguage claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is notintended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, butrather “one or more.”

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example,instance, or illustration.” Any aspect described herein as “exemplary”is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous overother aspects. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some”refers to one or more.

All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the variousaspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or latercome to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expresslyincorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed bythe claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to bededicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure isexplicitly recited in the claims. The words “module,” “mechanism.”“element,” “device,” and the like may not be a substitute for the word“means.” As such, no claim element is to be construed as a means plusfunction unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “meansfor.”

Although the present disclosure provides certain example embodiments andapplications, other embodiments that are apparent to those of ordinaryskill in the art, including embodiments which do not provide all of thefeatures and advantages set forth herein, are also within the scope ofthis disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure isintended to be defined only by reference to the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for automated detection of relativeposition among a plurality of wireless access points (WAPs) deployed inservice area, the method comprising: transmitting, by the plurality ofWAPs, a signal on a wireless channel at a fixed power level across theservice area, each signal including a media access control (MAC) addressof a respective WAP of the plurality of WAPs; measuring, at each WAP ofthe plurality of WAPs, a signal strength of the signal received from allother WAPs of the plurality of WAPs; sharing, among the plurality ofWAPs, reports from each WAP including signal strengths of the signaltransmitted from all of the other WAPs; forming, in a memory, a firstmatrix of measured signal strengths and measuring WAPs, the measuredsignal strengths including the signal strength of signals transmitted byeach WAP as received by all other WAPs as the measuring WAPs;determining a relative position of the plurality of WAPs based on thefirst matrix; forming a second matrix of two WAPs having higheststrengths for each measuring WAP within the first matrix; andidentifying the centermost pair of WAPs in the service area based on ahighest mode of the two WAPs having the signal strengths in the secondmatrix.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the signal strength comprisesone of a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) or a received channelpower indicator (RCPI).
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprisingidentifying a second most center pair of WAPs based on a second highestmode of the signal strengths in the second matrix.
 4. The method ofclaim 3, further comprising identifying outermost of WAPs in the servicearea based on a lowest mode of the signal strengths in the secondmatrix.
 5. The method of claim 1 further comprising repeating themeasuring, the sharing, and the determining at a predefined interval. 6.The method of claim 1, wherein the service area is one of a passengervehicle or a building.
 7. A non-transitory computer-readable medium forautomated detection of relative position among a plurality of wirelessaccess points (WAPs) deployed in a service area, that when executed byone or more processors cause the one or more processors to: transmit asignal on a wireless channel at a fixed power level across the servicearea, each signal including a media access control (MAC) address of arespective WAP of the plurality of WAPs; measure a signal strength ofthe signal received from all other WAPs of the plurality of WAPs; sharereports from each WAP including signal strengths of the signaltransmitted from all of the other WAPs; form a first matrix of measuredsignal strengths and measuring WAPs in a memory, the measured signalstrengths including the signal strength of signals transmitted by eachWAP as received by all other WAPs as the measuring WAPs; determine arelative position of the plurality of WAPs based on the first matrix;form a second matrix of two WAPs having highest strengths for eachmeasuring WAP within the first matrix; and identify the centermost pairof WAPs in the service area based on a highest mode of the two WAPshaving the signal strengths in the second matrix.
 8. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 7 wherein the signal strengthcomprises one of a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) or areceived channel power indicator (RCPI).
 9. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 7, further comprising identifying asecond most center pair of WAPs based on a second highest mode of thesignal strengths in the second matrix.
 10. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the instructions furthercause the one or more processors to identify outermost of WAPs in theservice area based on a lowest mode of the signal strengths in thesecond matrix.
 11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim7 wherein the instructions further cause the one or more processors torepeating the measuring, the sharing, and the determining at apredefined interval.
 12. A system for wireless communication in aservice area comprising: a first wireless access point (WAP) deployed inthe service area and configured to transmit a first signal on a wirelesschannel at a fixed power level across the service area, the first signalincluding a first media access control (MAC) address of the first WAP; asecond WAP deployed in the service area and configured to transmit asecond signal on the wireless channel at the fixed power level, thesecond signal including a second MAC address of the second WAP; and athird WAP deployed in the service area and configured to transmit athird signal on the wireless channel at the fixed power level, the thirdsignal including a third MAC address of the third WAP, wherein the firstWAP, the second WAP, and the third WAP are further configured to,measure a signal strength of received signals received from all otherWAPs; share reports including the measured signal strengths of thereceived signals with all other WAPs over the wireless channel; form afirst matrix of the measured signal strengths and measuring WAPs in amemory, the measured signal strengths including the signal strength ofsignals transmitted by each WAP as received by all other WAPs as themeasuring WAPs; determine a relative position of the first WAP, thesecond WAP, and the third WAP based on the first matrix; form a secondmatrix of two WAPs having highest strengths for each measuring WAPwithin the first matrix; and identify the centermost pair of WAPs in theservice area based on a highest mode of the two WAPs having the signalstrengths in the second matrix.
 13. The system of claim 12 wherein thesignal strength comprises one of a received signal strength indicator(RSSI) or a received channel power indicator (RCPI).
 14. The system ofclaim 12, wherein the first WAP, the second WAP, and the third WAP arefurther configured to identify a second most center pair of WAPs basedon a second highest mode of the signal strengths in the second matrix.15. The system of claim 14, wherein the first WAP, the second WAP, andthe third WAP are further configured to, identify outermost of WAPs inthe service area based on a lowest mode of the signal strengths in thesecond matrix.
 16. The system of claim 12 wherein the first WAP, thesecond WAP, and the third WAP are further configured to, repeat themeasuring, the sharing, and the determining at a predefined interval.17. The system of claim 12, wherein the service area is one of apassenger vehicle or a building.